A/N: The title line for this chapter is from the song 'Entertain You,' by Within Temptation. Awesome song, if you don't know it! Also, I'm sorry for disappearing for so long. I still intend to continue this. I believe there will be six chapters in total. Love you guys!

A few weeks after his patrol, Peter received a call from Tony. "Hello?"

"You doing anything this weekend?"

"Uh, no, but I-"

"You're coming to the Tower for the weekend, Happy will pick you up on Friday after school," Tony informed him.

"I can't," Peter started.

"Why?" Tony questioned skeptically.

Peter decided to be blunt. "I won't be able to get permission."

"From Aunt May?"

"No, from Robert."

"What say does he have in it??" sputtered Tony. "Is he there? Put him on the phone."

"No, that's a bad idea, I don't want to do that-"

As Tony started vehemently arguing with him, Robert walked in to overhear Tony's insinuations that Robert was a controlling jerk.

Peter's face morphed into sheer panic, but as he tried to hang up the phone, Robert grabbed his phone. "Who is this?" he asked, very quietly. Peter had long learned that when Robert was quiet, there was that much more to fear.

"Tony Stark. Who the * gives you the right to tell Peter what to do?"

"What are you talking about?"

Tony decided to take a slightly more diplomatic approach. "Can Peter spend the weekend at the Tower? My chief of security would pick him up from school on Friday."

Robert spent a moment in silence, calculating. "I'm afraid Peter's misrepresented me. I have no problem at all letting Peter spend the weekend with you, provided he's home by a reasonable hour on Sunday night."

"Oh." Tony sounded confused. "Okay then...tell Peter I'll see him then."

As the two men hung up, Robert turned to Peter and told him very seriously, "If you're not back by ten o'clock on Sunday night, or if you tell tales to these people, you'll never see May again."

Peter shuddered as Robert stalked away. Make no mistake, because the stakes are getting higher.

Peter spent the rest of the week dreading Friday's arrival. He was terrified that the Avengers would figure things out...he couldn't let that happen.

So when Happy picked him up on Friday, it was no surprise when Peter remained silent throughout their drive. No surprise, that is, except to Happy. He didn't comment on it to Peter, but while Peter was walking into the Tower, Happy remained behind for a moment to text Tony. Something wrong with Peter. Barely said two words.

Tony frowned as he read that, but quickly cleared his face when Peter walked in. "Hey kid! Bruce is in the lab, wanna go there with me? We've got a project I want your opinion on."

"Sure." Peter shrugged, trying not to look nervous and failing miserably. Tony eyed him for a moment but decided not to ask- yet.

Bruce greeted him with a smile, and the two men filled Peter in on their project. Soon, Peter's anxiety faded as he lost himself in the world of science, and he began sounding more like himself.

He's just a little stressed, Tony told himself. You're worrying too much. Still, a nagging doubt remained in the back of his mind.

On Sunday evening before Peter left for home, Peter, Tony, Pepper, Steve, Sam, Bruce, and Natasha had a movie night. They had just finished The Matrix, and as Peter stood up, Tony punched his arm and asked, "What'd ya think, Petey?"

Peter gasped and and his vision blurred for a couple seconds- under his hoodie, there was a set of deep gashes where Tony had punched. He quickly regained control, and tried to pretend nothing had happened. "Uh yeah, yeah it was good!"

Tony stared at him, trying to decide what to do.

"He didn't hit you that hard, did he?" Sam joked, trying to lighten the mood. Steve shot him a sharp look, and he fell silent.

After a long moment, Tony said, "Kid, is there something you wanna tell me?"

Peter's eyes closed for a moment. It would be so easy...so easy just to tell them everything. He was on the verge of spilling everything when a little voice in the back of his mind said, May.

He forced his eyes open. He couldn't endanger May. Everyone was looking at him, waiting for his response.

"No," he finally replied, miserably.

Tony nodded. "Jarvis, run a scan on Peter. "

Peter shook his head in a panic. "No no, I'm fine, really-"

Too late. "Peter has numerous lacerations on his body, four cracked ribs, considerable bruising, a broken wrist, and a severe concussion."

The room fell silent, but the Avengers' eyes betrayed their horror. "How did this happen?" Tony finally managed.

Peter clung to MJ's guess. "Patrolling," he mumbled.

Tony slowly nodded. "Okay, I'm gonna need the suit back."

"What? No! Please, I'll be more careful, I promise-"

"Kid, if you go out again with injuries like those, you're gonna get yourself killed." Peter tried to protest, but Tony wouldn't let him. "You'll give your suit to Happy when he brings you home tonight," he said firmly.

Peter knew that arguing was useless...'iron' didn't just refer to the man's suit. He nodded dejectedly.

Steve gave him a sympathetic look as they made their way out of the room. "Hang in there, kid," he whispered, briefly touching his shoulder. Peter didn't meet his eyes.

Peter rode silently for the beginning of their trip back to the apartment. Eventually, he mustered his courage and begged, "Happy, please...you don't know what the suit means to me. I need this, I need to be Spider-Man. It's all I have."

Happy shook his head regretfully. "It's not my choice, Peter. I'm just following orders."

Peter realised the futility of any further pleading, and silently resigned himself to his fate. Happy glanced over sympathetically.

"You don't have to prove yourself to him, you know," Happy said quietly. "He's already proud of you."

Peter swallowed. He wouldn't be proud if he knew what I really am, he thought to himself. The pair remained quiet for the rest of the drive.

Happy noted the tension Peter's body language betrayed as they walked into the apartment. He was about to ask about it when a man he could only assume to be Robert walked up.

"Hey Pete, welcome home!" Robert flashed a grin and ruffled his hair, and Peter visibly blanched. His fear was almost tangible in the air. Happy made no remark, however, and instead held out his hand to Robert. "I'm Happy Hogan," he introduced himself. "I work for Tony Stark."

Robert took his hand with a painfully firm grip and a genial grin. "Robert Thompson," he responded. "Pleased to meet you!"

Happy sensed Peter edging toward the hall. "I'm just gonna go with Peter to bring something back to Mr. Stark," he excused himself, and Peter led him up down the hall his bedroom.

Peter retrieved the suit from his closet and reluctantly handed it to Happy. "Thanks for the ride," he said.

Happy gave him a long look. "You know," he said quietly, "I can take you back right now. You don't have to stay here. They'd always welcome you at the Tower."

Peter resisted the offer with an act of superhuman self-control. "I can't," he whispered.

Happy slowly shook his head. "If you say so. We're only one call away, though. Don't hesitate to reach out."

Peter finally looked him in the eye. "Thank you."

Happy nodded hesitantly, and then turned to go.

Happy walked up to Tony and handed him the neatly folded suit. "Did the kid make much of a fuss?" Tony asked.

"No." Happy paused before answering. "Something's wrong. The kid, he's terrified of the new guy. Something's really off about him."

Tony ran his fingers through his hair obsessively. "Dang. We can't force it out of Peter...I'll call him tomorrow when he's at school, and try to get him to talk."